Cruceta looks very impressive in Toledo

Could the relief the Detroit Tigers bullpen needs be right around the corner? If Francisco Cruceta can continue to pitch the way he did Tuesday night in Toledo, the answer very well could be yes. According to the Detroit News, Cruceta pitched three impressive innings for the Mud Hens as he works his way toward Detroit.

Cruceta pitched in relief against the Columbus Clippers, who beat Toledo, 5-3, and did not allow a hit or a run in a 41-pitch outing, featuring command of three impressive pitches.

He struck out the side on 10 pitches in the sixth and retired the Clippers 1-2-3 in the seventh on two ground balls and a fourth strikeout. In the seventh, he added two more strikeouts. He also hit one batter on an 0-2 breaking pitch, and walked another when he went to his mouth successively on a 3-1 count, resulting in an automatic ball being called by the plate umpire.

Cruceta will likely be added to the Tigers' 25-man roster well ahead of the May 10 deadline the team faces in deciding Cruceta's future. He's out of big-league options and cannot be returned to the minors without being exposed to waivers. He was granted a 30-day extension on Major League Baseball's restricted list because of his visa holdup.